Sylvester knew that he couldn't do much about these plots. He couldn't stop them as he entered the whole clergy system just a year ago. In contrast, all these plots had been running for years.
It also showed Saint Seer's failure. The fact that a spy could wreck the kingdom in the backyard of the Holy Land proved that the Holy land had failed to keep a strict eye. But there was another element that restricted the Holy Land from taking any drastic steps.
Since the Masan Empire had not directly attacked the church and was only going after a Kingdom in the hopes of expansion, the Holy Land couldn't do anything drastic openly. This was one of the major laws that kept some peace between the Holy Land and the Kingdoms.
Inquisitor High Lord shook his head disappointedly while looking at Saint Seer. "How the snakes have entered the gardens we used to decorate. We didn't even notice while our lands they slowly ate."
Saint Seer felt the ground underneath his feet shake. He knew the Pope would be enraged, which was terrible. Because the moment he gets kicked out of the Sanctum Council, his doom will come, for he knew too many things that should never come out.
Sylvester was busy thinking about his own problems. 'So the whole war between Riveria and Gracia is likely his work. But we're now in a situation where we can't even negotiate and must behead the Duke. This man… Shadow of Masan… He really clutched his claws around the whole plot perfectly.'
"Let's move to the dungeons now. Duke is to be beheaded within an hour as well." Sylvester turned around and walked away. He wasn't going to bother with these things for now. Not before completing his own scheme.
Slowly, the crowd thinned out as the Witch was dead and mostly burnt. The Inquisitors returned to their positions, and the rest of the Clergymen went to the monastery. Duke Daemon's execution was supposed to be done in as much secrecy as possible.
So Sylvester, his team and a few other important people walked into Dungeon's execution room. The place was very dark and lit by torches on the walls. There was a tiny stone stage in the middle with a narrow block of stone to put heads on it.
This time, there were no angry screams or words spoken. Instead, Duke Daemon willingly came with the soldiers and walked towards the chopping block. He lacked eyes, so there was nothing to see, but the man kept repeating the same words again and again.
"I apologise for my ignorance."
"I apologise for my ignorance."
"I ask for forgiveness."
"Let my neck be the end of it."
That, honestly, made many clergymen feel uneasy since they had learned by now from the Witch's last words that the Duke and the entire Gracia Kingdom was played like a pawn in a game by the Masan Empire. The Duke's only fault was not seeing through the lies. But, the Clergymen couldn't blame him either as they had failed too.
Sylvester sighed and walked forward, and climbed the stage. He waved at the Inquisitors responsible for beheading and whispered something in the ear of the Duke.
Instantly, the Duke's mouth showed a smile as he nodded. "Thank you for telling me that, my Lord. Please forgive me for my heretic activities. I was… misguided and lost."
Sylvester stepped back a little and raised his right palm to shine his light upon the sad man who had accepted his fate. He started to sing a hymn too, and the halo made every man and woman in the execution hall hold their heads low in respect to the blessing.
♫With parents, we're also the children of the Lord.
Children make mistakes, the fact can't be ignored.
Sometimes small, and sometimes grave.
Yet one who accepts them is called the brave.♫
♫So do not be afraid when eternal darkness comes.
Fight—so to the devil, your soul doesn't succumb.
Just chant his name until your senses become numb.♫
♫I assure you, there is always light after darkness.
For the Lord's arms are full of warmth; they are harmless.♫
The Duke's shoulders started shivering as Sylvester stopped singing and stepped back. The man was crying, but the lack of eyes and damaged eye region kept him from genuinely crying.
Thud!
He fell to his knees and let the Inquisitors put his neck on the stone slap. But before the sword swung, he voiced one last time. "May my brother and sister live a happy life. May the Gracia Kingdom flourish. May the holy light enlighten us all—Lord Bard, may you keep growing stronger… May you fill the world with joyous laughter. Good boy… to all."
Woosh!
Slash!
Thud!
The swing of the giant axe was fast and smooth. The Inquisitor swung it masterfully, and the head fell in one strike. But a soft red cushion was waiting underneath to stop the head from rolling.
The second inquisitor quickly came forward with a steel box, just big enough for the head to be placed inside. He lifted the head respectfully while chanting the name of the Lord and put it inside with the cushion. Then he locked it tightly and activated the ice runes on the box.
As for the remaining body, it was to be burned according to the Gracia family and Faith of Solis' ritual back in the Green City. A small Remembrance stone was also to be made in the Gracia family's garden of the dead.
But for Sylvester, the real test of his abilities was just beginning.
He picked up the steel box and walked towards Lord Inquisitor. He wished to leave for Riviera immediately as the deadline for the war was closing in very fast. But he still had to prepare everything as his schemes came to an end.
"What did you say to make a dying man smile?" Lady Aurora asked him in whispers.
Sylvester smiled back. "I just told him I see Isabella as a little sister and that Gracia Family will not die out."
"How can you say that so surely?" She inquired.
"Well, it at least made him die with a smile. That's all that matters. Let's move now. You are to come with me to meet King Riveria." He moved past her as this was not the best place to talk.
Sylvester led his team out of the dungeons and arrived in a secluded room on the castle's ground floor. He then closed the door and spoke with everyone.
"I'm afraid all of this was a conspiracy, and I am one hundred per cent sure that the Masan Empire is likely behind many other messes that have been occurring recently. At this point, we must look at everything with doubt. Felix, send words to your elder brother and tell him about the Masan plot. It'll be a disaster if Sandwall County falls victim too." Sylvester ordered his friend.
"But… What does Masan even want?" Gabriel asked, as he was less of a politician and more of a religious man. "It will be catastrophic even if they somehow take the East Sol. The Divine Desert is in between, and it'll be impossible to govern this region."
"Trade." Elyon, the tall and mighty Beastkin tiger, spoke. "Masan lacks trade partners as of now. They likely wish to take the Gracia Kingdom as that would allow them to move freely across the Blood Sea—Opening trade with Beastaria."
Bishop Lazark glanced at the man in wonder. "I thought we don't trade with the heathens."
"The Holy Land does not. But the Kingdoms are allowed as it fills their coffers. As long as it's not war supplies, anything can be sold or bought—Including expensive exotic slaves." Elyon revealed. The man was, after all, a bigshot trader first and then a priest.
Sylvester then added a few more insights. "Masan is mostly desert. It's tough to support their large population with just their gold mines. They need arable land, and since the Warsong Kingdom is almost impossible to conquer, they have raised their eyes towards Gracia. Not to mention, the King is old, dying, and losing credibility, and the Empire is crumbling slowly. He needs a big win to keep the Empire intact."
Lady Aurora agreed with him. "True. The worst part is that they are using covert warfare to do things. The Holy Land cannot do anything openly. Not to mention, the people of Masan don't feel as close to the Holy Land either. Sure, they follow the same god and faith, but their rituals, methods, and lifestyles differ. The Masan Empire is also annoyed since their representation in the clergy of the Holy Land is very small."
Felix sneered and walked to the side to pour himself a glass of water. "Ugh… Politics. I hate this."
Thud!
Thud!
But just then, the familiar sound of Lord Inquisitor's staff tapping on the floor came. Soon, the door opened, and the tall man walked in. "Except the young bard, all leave."
No one dared question the Lord Inquisitor, not even Lady Aurora. They all silently walked out of the room and closed it, standing guard outside so no one could hear what was happening inside. However, they were also interested in it.
In the room, Lord Inquisitor took out a small, finger-length vial and handed it to Sylvester. "Ask no question of its origins, young bard. Only five people in the world know of this—all belong to our side. Use it wisely, for a single one of these can bankrupt an entire Kingdom. Do not make me regret giving you this freedom."
Sylvester held the vial with nothing visible in it carefully. He felt sweat on his back just thinking about its cost. "I will not disappoint you, my lord."
"I know." The big man instantly replied. "Be safe on the journey. Once this enters his body, he shall slowly wither like a dying flower in a week. Then, when you return, perhaps we can talk about your great feats—About your rise to the ranks of clergy elites."
Sylvester felt his heartbeat increase as he knew the benefits of being a Bishop were immense. "I shall leave for River City right away, Lord Inquisitor."
"Be careful." The Inquisitor High Lord warned him seriously. "That man may have gone senile, but he's always brewing something. Considering his past animosities towards you, he may try something. If he does so, remind him to be careful of my staff's thumping—Remind him of my fire that can burn until there will remain nothing."
Sylvester bowed his head respectfully. "I will, my lord."
With that, Sylvester headed out. Finally, he had the last piece in his hand to end his long assignment. Though, this time, one furry boy would be the most detrimental.
700 GT = 1 Bonus chapter.
1 Super Gift = 1 Bonus chapter.
APE TOGETHER STRONG!
